Page 6 - TTMNSummer2024

STEM/Construction
Page 6 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaymn.com

LEARN2BUILD Demolishes Gender Stigmas in The Construction Trades

to the construction building trades industry. each other in a variety of construction-related
By combining fun and games with Science, trades through this summer program.
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) “We’re excited to see our summer
students are introduced to career paths such program growing,” said Learn2Build direc-
as pipef tting, civil engineering, plumb- tor, Mary DesJarlais. “It’s exciting to see so
ing, painting and more. Their time with the many girls in this class, we are working on
program is spent doing exciting activities establishing more programs for girls inter-
focused on the construction trades while ested in STEM, it’s good for them to see
meeting other students who share similar that women can work in construction and the
interests. trades and be successful.”
The students participating in this two- Along with Learn2Build, schools
week Learn2Build camp had the opportunity across Minnesota are beginning to imple-
to visit the local community & technical ment more classes that can prepare students
college and its Plumbing Lab, where appren- for post graduation plans that don’t include
tices studying plumbing learn the trade a traditional four-year university. Schools
through hands-on experience. With the help such as where Aylli attends, Washing-
of a few plumbers from the Local 34, Aylli ton Technology Magnet School, pride
and the other students got to measure, cut and themselves in specializing in BioSMART
construct their own marshmallow launchers (Biological Science, Math, Academic Rigor,
out of PVC pipes. and Technology) courses, to give students a
Karin Ellefson, Courtesy of the Construc- in her hands. She frequently draws characters “I never really thought I enjoyed math more diverse education.
tion Careers Foundation from movies she watches. or science, but Learn2Build has made me “Now I know there are jobs like this
Before signing up for the Learn2Build ThroughLearn2Build, Aylli has pushed rethink that a little,” Aylli said. “I love being out there, I might consider taking classes
summer construction experience program, her creativity and curiosity about building able to work with my hands and be creative.” in school that are construction based,” Aylli
12-year-old Aylli Alford had never consid- to the next level by seeing what construc- One of the main goals of Learn2Build said. “I could even be able to help out at
ered that she might enjoy working hands-on tion is all about. “My mom helped me get is to direct more young students, especially home with f xing stuff now!”
with tools and supplies. signed up for this [Learn2Build] when we girls, to careers in STEM and the construc-
Aylli, a 7th grader from Washington saw it on a flyer from school,” Aylli said. tion trades to build a more diverse workforce
Technology Magnet School has always had “I’m really glad we did. Everything has in the future.
a passion for drawing. She excels in art class been so fun!” Aylli, along with a handful of other girls
and spends her free time with a sketchbook Learn2Build is a program that exposes that signed up for Learn2Build, are seeing
students in grades 4-9 around the Twin Cities both men and women working alongside

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